Bobby’s Law: Montana Takes Step Against Drunk Driving

Montana is known for a lot of great things—big skies, wide-open spaces, and incredible communities. But there's one stat we can’t be proud of: drunk driving. According to a recent report from Forbes, Montana ranks number one in the nation for the worst drunk drivers. Not exactly the list we want to top.

READ MORE: Montana Leads The Country In Startling Statistics

One of the most staggering stats? 7.14 people are killed in drunk driving-related crashes per 100,000 residents here in Montana. That number isn’t just a statistic—it represents real lives lost and families forever changed.

But now, Montana is taking a hard stand.

This week, the state legislature passed House Bill 267—better known as “Bobby’s Law”—with overwhelming support in a 95 to 3 vote. The bill is named after Bobby Dewbre, who was killed by a drunk driver while celebrating his 21st birthday near Columbia Falls. His tragic death sparked a movement, led by his family, to push for stronger DUI penalties in Montana.

“Bobby’s Law” creates a new offense: aggravated vehicular homicide while under the influence. If someone kills another person while driving with a blood alcohol level over .16 (twice the legal limit), or if they were already under court restrictions for previous DUI offenses, they could now face up to 30 years in prison—with a minimum sentence of 3 years—and fines up to $50,000.

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This is a big step forward for Montana. It won’t erase the pain, but it might just prevent more families from suffering the same heartbreak. Let’s hope this law becomes more than words on paper and makes our roads safer for everyone.